Description: (Former Australian Women's Field Hockey Athlete and Senator of Australia (2013 - 2016))
Nova Peris is a respected Aboriginal Australian athlete who achieved significant milestones in both sports and politics. She made history by being the first Aboriginal Australian to secure an Olympic gold medal with the Australian women's field hockey team in 1996. Transitioning to sprinting, she further showcased her athletic prowess by competing at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. In 2013, Peris ventured into politics and was elected to the Australian Senate, where she made a significant impact. She served as a senator until her retirement in 2016, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both the sporting and political realms.